Official Press Release: Visit Blok ends border closure Venezuela

CARACAS, WILLEMSTAD - After his visits to Sint Maarten, Aruba, Curaçao and Colombia, Minister Blok traveled to Caracas, the capital of Venezuela. There, together with vice-presidents El Aissami and Soteldo, he signed an agreement on the lifting of the border blockade that Venezuela had raised earlier this year.

This removal must lead to the restoration of all regular traffic between mainly Aruba and Curaçao with neighboring country Venezuela. The agreement also means that the smuggling activities on these routes are actively prevented by the countries involved. The border blockade was high on the agenda in Minister Blok's talks with the prime ministers of the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom.

Minister Blok: "By using our diplomatic network, I was able to unblock the border closure. This is good for the Caribbean region and the relationship with neighboring Venezuela. "

Before leaving the Netherlands, Minister Blok already spoke with his Venezuelan colleague Arreaza. They agreed to quickly find a solution.

In recent days, diplomatic contacts have gained momentum. This made it possible to visit Caracas to sign the agreement that the border blockade has to be lifted. In his conversation with the Venezuelan authorities, Minister Blok also discussed the current situation in Venezuela.